Jewelweed(Impatiens capensis)
Other Names:
Spotted touch me not
Range:
Family:
Balsaminaceae– Touch Me Not family
Growth Type:
An Herbaceous annual plant
Height:
3 - 5 ft in height
Leaves:
The leaves are oval and toothed. The lower leaves are arranged opposite, while the upper leaves are alternate.
Stem/Trunk:
The hollow stems are somewhat translucent, succulent and have swollen or darkened nodes.
Root:
Not observed
Flower Season:
Summer
Flower Appearance:
The flowers are orange with red spots and a three-lobed corolla; one of the calyx lobes is colored similarly to the corolla and forms a hooked conical spur at the back of the flower.
Seed/Fruit:
The seed pods are pendant and have projectile seeds that explode out of the pods when they are lightly touched, if ripe, which is where the name touch-me-not comes from.
Miscellaneous characteristics:
The seed pods are pendant and have projectile seeds that explode out of the pods when they are lightly touched, if ripe, which is where the name touch-me-not comes from.
Habitat:
Bottomland soils, ditches, and along creeks, often growing side-by-side with its less common relative, Yellow Jewelweed
Parts Used:
Aerial parts
Culinary Uses:
None Known
The following text is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or injury. Always consult with a physician or other qualified medical care provider concerning the diagnosis and treatment of any illness or injury.
Medicinal Uses:
Traditionally Jewelweed has been used to treat skin rashes and irritations. I have used it to soothe a friend's poison ivy rash. I have heard it works as a preventative for poison ivy, but cannot personally attest to this.
You can preserve Jewelweed for use throughout the year by making a simple Jewelweed vinegar. Fill a mason jar with finely chopped or crushed jewelweed, and fill it once again with apple cider vinegar. Cover, and place in a cupboard for four weeks. Make sure to shake it at least once a day for the first week or so. After the four weeks pour the contents of the jar through a strainer lined with cheesecloth, into a large bowl. Pour the vinegar back into the cleaned jar. The covered jar will keep in a cupboard for about a year. I use this vinegar to soothe itches throughout the year. All you need to do is put a bit of it into a spray bottle, and spray it onto itchy skin to immediately alleviate the itch. If you do not have a spray bottle, you can apply the vinegar with a cloth or paper towel just as easily. Jewelweed herbal preparation link.
Cautions According To WebMD
Contra-Indications
None Known
Possible Side Effects:
None Known
Possible Interactions:
None Known
Herbal Preparations For Jewelweed
Vinegar Extract
Part Used: Entire Flowering Plant
Plant State: Fresh
Fill a quart mason jar to the neck with chopped fresh leaves, then fill the jar with apple cider vinegar. Next pour the contents of the jar into a blender and blend until all of the plant material is thoroughly chopped into fine pieces and incorporated into the menstrum. This will increase the surface area and provide better leaching of the plant constituents. As a matter of fact, this method works so well that, if necessary, the vinegar extract can be used in as little as 7 days. Now pour the contents of the blender back into the jar, being careful to scrape every last bit of goodness from the blender. Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out the spent plant material. Your Jewelweed vinegar will remain viable for 1-2 years.
Dosage: Rub onto affected area as needed. You can also fill a spray bottle, and spray affected areas as needed.
Jewelweed Online Learning Video
Jewelweed Video
